IBG-1 located at Forschungszentrum Jülich is concerned with the development of biotechnological production processes for bulk and fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and proteins. The department "Systems Biotechnology" headed by Prof. Wiechert uses its quantitative omics measurement platform (metabolomics, fluxomics, proteomics) combined with an engineering approach (process engineering, automation, modeling) for a targeted development of new processes in shorter time. Prof. Wiechert is teaches at RWTH in the field of "Computational Systems Biotechnology". He is a member of AVT.
The Jülich institute works on cell based as well as cell free approaches to the production of chemicals. In both cases research is supported by quantitative bioanalytical methods and mathematical modeling. The complex biochemical networks in a living cell are characterized in detail and this knowldege in turn is exploited for bioprocess development. The rational development of enzyme toolboxes for combinatorial biosynthesis paves the way to new chiral molecules for industrial Biotechnology up to a future establishment of completely synthetic synthesis pathways (synthetic biology). These working fields are complemented by the development and application of micro fluidic devices for single cell analyses in combination with novel fluorescent biosensors.